Look, Ma, we wrote a book! How Life Imitates Chess is hitting the shelves next week in the USA. The American edition is quite different from the UK version, which is also the one the other 19 language editions are based on. (Yes, 19.) They cut out the chess biographies that were between each chapter and several of what you might call the most challenging (or you might say dense) sections were whittled down considerably. The result is an enjoyably streamlined version that also has added emphasis for the business market. Garry doesn't have the name recognition in the US he has just about everywhere else, so positioning the book is critical. (I'm hoping to release some of the cut chess material on the sly, perhaps in some silly chess blog.)
That thing about the name recognition will be changing over the next 30 days, at least a little. This Sunday, two days from today, the premier US TV news magazine 60 Minutes will air a long piece on Kasparov. (USA Today mentions this, umm, today.) They followed him around in Russia for a while and interviewed all sorts of people. It's mostly about politics of course, but they mention the book. Soon afterwards, a long profile of Garry is going to appear in the New Yorker magazine. Then the real insanity starts as he begins a whirlwind mini book tour in October. There are dozens of interviews, signings, and TV & radio appearances jammed in from October 10-22. He also has several political appointments and business lectures (NYC and New Orleans) wedged in there. I'll post a full schedule later, but the quick version is Oct 15 in Boston (Harvard book store signing), Oct 16 in DC, Oct 18 in NY (B&N signing), Oct 19 in Philly (signing somewhere). On the 17th he's going to be on the brilliant parody news commentary show The Colbert Report, which of course I'm more excited about than his speech at Radio City Music Hall.
In the where is he now dept., Kasparov just received a human rights award in Denmark, the first annual Herbert Pundik Prize. Lots of coverage in the Danish media, so I'm told. There's an interview with him online here but you have to figure out how to bring up the show from the 19th and then scroll down to the interview in the video player and click "se klip". Not sure it's worth it! Yesterday and today (also the name of a mediocre Bay Area hair metal band from the 80's) he was in Warsaw at a big political ideas forum. He says it went very well. Good to have a flamethrower amongst the technocrats on occasion. One riposte: "Do you think the Taliban would change their ways if they had better technology?"
Speaking of Kasparov and books, I'm selling another signed copy of Kasparov Against the World here on Ebay. Buy early and buy often.
I am very disheartened that the book, like many other foreign products introduced into America, had to be dumbed down for the American audience. It looks like I'll be importing the UK version instead of buying the book here in the states.
I wouldn't go that far. (And don't get me in trouble with Bloomsbury, our US publisher!) It's edited with readability and focus on Garry's personal experiences in mind, not reader IQ. (Chess IQ, a little.) There were two sections that contained a lot of theory about psychology that the editor thought drew the book away from Garry too much. Basically, it could have been written by someone doing a psych master's thesis and wasn't uniquely Kasparov. A reasonable decision and one we both agreed with. In fact, I'm hoping we can use the US version for the international translations, perhaps putting some of the chess stuff back in.
right moves "on the board and the boardroom" is subliminal advertisment for "bedroom", or a freudian slip from Kasparov.
Didn't Garry declare once in an interview that his wife stalemated him with her "cynical but calculated move" to run in US with their daughter and then get an American judge to issue an order that Garry should not not get close within few miles to her ?..or this was "zugzwang" ?..oh well..how life imitates chess..
Sorry Mig, but I too think that the UK version would be more interesting to the chess playing public in the US than the "revised" edition.
Personally, my opinion is boardroom, smoardroom but with the coverage he gets on 60 minutes and New Yorker Magazine etc, the new edition should do well with those whose focus is the business market.
When he had the chance, Kasparov was a little dictator in the chess world. I'm amazed at his reinvention as a crusader for democracy and freedom. (Reminiscent of Kissinger winning the Nobel Peace Price. Okay, maybe it's not quite that bad.) For that matter, what are Kasparov's credentials for success in anything beyond chess?
Kasparov and his slimy pro-democracy people want to free the rich corrupt oil oligarchs from prison.
Rob and brutalize the russian people is the aim of these shady people - if they ever come to power.
Human rights - what a joke!
Wow...Kasparov on the Colbert Report...this should be hugely entertaining. I trust he knows what he's in for there Mig? I really hope he takes the correct approach, which from what I've seen is to drop a few lines even more outrageous than Colbert. The guests who take it too seriously always end up looking foolish, but it's a laugh either way.
To tell you the truth, I'm very surprised that Kasparov is going on Colbert. Politically, I find it hard to imagine Garry presenting his "new democracy" and "life imitates chess" opinions other than in a serious manner...plays right into Colbert's forte...Oh well like Cynical Gripe stated, "should be hugely entertaining." Actually, I'm surprised Mig didn't try and bend Garry's ear a little about that appearance. Then again, Garry's a big boy.
You guys really haven't seen Garry in action if you think he's some stodgy sort who can't take a joke. He entertained in chess press conferences for 20 years. He'll be fine with Colbert and I encouraged the appearance. He's the one suggesting bringing props and thinking of ways to ambush Colbert. We want to make sure to get one or two clear statements about Russia in and other than that just have a good time, promote the book and the raise awareness for the cause.
Yes, because all the oil oligarchs now are squeaky clean, right 'observer'? The ones who wouldn't kiss Putin's butt enough are in jail, the rest are stealing even more than before. Rob and brutalize? Where to you think all the money going into London real estate and football teams is coming from?
Kasparov played the hand that was dealt him in the chess world. He had power and he used it. No excuses. He also helped lead the organization of the Grandmaster Association, the first real player organization. He always had big plans and just as many things fell apart as were created, but there is no way you can say he was the only one who benefited from his activities. And exactly what credentials other than chess is he supposed to have after playing professional chess for 30 years? PhD in basket weaving? How about a Danish human rights award and the TIME Magazine 100 most influential people list? Contributing editor to the Wall Street Journal okay for you? You think marching around in the streets is easier than playing chess? What credentials do you have in mind?
Well chesstraveler, save some money and buy the US one and I'll eventually be able to leak the extra chess stuff. But the point is that there isn't much new there for chess people, it was mostly greatest hits material about the champions plus quotes that would be familiar to most here. I'll post an example this week.
In all fairness, Kaspy has the right to fight for whatever political causes he chooses. Why not?
I personally think Kasparov is fooling himself believing he can make a difference - as Mig rightfully says, he spent 30 years playing chess, hardly a qualification for anything other than playing chess.
But, then again, that's just my opinion, and he may very well succeed in the end. There are many examples of people succeeding in the political arena without a background in politics. Kasparov might be the next case.
Only time will tell. In the meantime, I will respectfully take a pass on buying the book. I don't find much value in Kasparov's ideas away from the chessboard.
It's strange that people keep saying Kasparov won't make a difference as if there is some abstract future to consider. He's already made a significant difference. Perhaps not yet in the lives of the entire population of Russia, but his presence has attracted a lot of global attention to the authoritarian Putin government. At the start they just bashed in the heads of the marchers. After photos of Kasparov being dragged into a police van circled the world they decided it was better to let people march. It's not going to be a big revolution; the KGB system is too well funded and too well entrenched for that. Other Russia is currently holding primary elections all across the country, displaying real democracy in action instead of the official recipe of hand-picked successors and fewer electoral rights. Small steps are important too. It's really not fair to say that anything other than toppling the entire Russian government is failure!
He spoke passionately in Warsaw these past two days to get human rights and democracy written into the policy agenda of the largest party in the European Parliament. At the end they decided to do exactly that. These things matter; they have real-world benefits for real people even if it often looks like a bunch of bureaucratic waffle at the start.
It's a tricky book to classify, which is why I think the publisher went with business. It's just as much of a memoir and most chess people say it was worth the read just for all the chess stuff from his life (around 50% of the book, even the US edition). Publishers like books they can compare to other books that were popular and this one doesn't fit into any category easily by those standards. Anyway, I'm not on commission!
"observer" looks like someone brainwashed by Russian Putin obedient media. At least it is good to see where the support for Putin comes from.
The fact is that over 50% of the population in every country (Russia, Europe and US included) is pretty stupid -- the difference is that in Europe and US the stupid also have some notion of what civil liberties look like somewhere in the back of their heads; in Russia the stupid have little idea of what they should be.
Yah, who'd believe anyone would ever elect a person President whose only qualification is celebrity status. That would never happen in the US.
Yah, who'd believe anyone would ever elect a person President whose only qualification is celebrity status. That would never happen in the US.
Who'd believe anyone would ever elect a person president whose only qualification is celebrity status. That'd never happen here.
Colbert Report but not Daily Show? Bummer. That's like going on MadTV but not SNL. Colbert's interviews are always incredibly awkward and the person trying to get their plug in usually ends up just sort of annoyed or confused as Colbert plays up his lame schtick. Daily Show, baby, is where it's at. Intereviews still a bit awkward there, but at least Jon Stewart lets his guests actually say what they came there to say.
As a player, Kasparov pretty much worked for himself. It is indeed great to see that after retirement, he is working for the country.
However, his campaign seems too westernized and/or focused on western media. Westerners seem to highly appreciate his efforts while I have not seen similar enthusiam/support from Russians (chess players, bloggers, emigres). Perhaps it is based on better understanding of their country or it could be that they resent Kasparov making their country look bad (even worse than it actually is) in western media to draw attention to his campaign.
- Kapalik
As a player, Kasparov pretty much worked for himself. It is indeed great to see that after retirement, he is working for the country.
However, his campaign seems too westernized and/or focused on western media. Westerners seem to highly appreciate his efforts while I have not seen similar enthusiam/support from Russians (chess players, bloggers, emigres). Perhaps it is based on better understanding of their country or it could be that they resent Kasparov making their country look bad (even worse than it actually is) in western media to draw attention to his campaign.
- Kapalik
"It's strange that people keep saying Kasparov won't make a difference as if there is some abstract future to consider. "
It's hard to believe that Kasparov will succeed in real politics after his gigantic failure at dealing with FIDE politics, a much simple task for a wannabe politician.
Part of the problem is that his motivation may be a simple desire to rule a country the same way he ruled chess for twenty years. A nifty goal for Kasparov...but not necessarily the same for the russian people!
Another point against Kasparov (sorry to keep going back to his chess career, but that's his only background) is his propensity to put his personal interest way ahead of the "common cause": after many years of criticizing FIDE's corruption, he became friends with Kirsan when he felt Kirsan could help him regain the world championship. He ignored Shirov's right to a match for the WC and hand-picked Kramnik because it was the beneficial thing to do (never mind it backfired in a dramatic way). He never fought for the GMA as a regular member with great power (this explains the lack of support from his peers). All Kasparov's battles have been about Kasparov and his personal quest for personal glory. Other people are just props in this eternal saga...
OK, Karpov is the billionaire and also has a similar book out, but Kasparov is going to tell us how to succeed at business. What business was he successful with again?
Two Questions…
Did Kasparov raise $50 million or so for his chess business (playing chess on-line or similar) which was at the end bankrupt?
If Kasparov switched sides against Ilymzhinov and after for him for his personal benefit, could he switch sides against Putin and for Putin whenever this becomes personally rewording?
Bessel Kok and Borg switched sides as soon as Kirsan offered to pay for their salary in this Global Chess scheme. Once more - money talks.
>OK, Karpov is the billionaire and also has a similar book out, but Kasparov is going to tell us how to succeed at business. What business was he successful with again?>
well, there was once www.kasparov.com.
Kasparov today is a free-floating person searching for an identity, for a new label, one different than (fromer) chess champion. He is toying with politics, business, amateur psychology, writer, columnist.
Credit should be given for trying, as for succeeding..let's hope that at least Garry won't end up as Fischer : ranting and raving on new-chronology and Kremlin conspiracies to ruin him.
Shouldn't the title of the book be: "How chess imitates life"?
What everyone should remember is... a book sales often isn't determined by how well written it is, but by how famous and influential the writer is. My fiction book, see link, has sales partly because I'm determinded and have a bit of influence and recognition. Plus I've had work published since I was four years old.
So Kasparov's book will probably do pretty well, even managing to get sales from a tough market- chessplayers ;)!
>Shouldn't the title of the book be: "How chess imitates life"?>
Chess is a metaphor for life, this is the very essence of chess.
When you get to this insight you stop playing chess and start living life, and until you do you are condemned to keep playing chess until you fully understand it.
The link given by Mig points to the old book "Kasparov vs the World'. I can't find the new book by Garry under Mig's account.
How do I look at this title?
My bad, sagini. Book titles on the brain and no sleep. It's 'Kasparov Against the World'. Auction correct, me not so much. This page has info on the new book, plus links to Amazon to buy it:
http://howlifeimitateschess.com/
No signed copies yet. He's doing signings here in a few weeks, east coast. We'll try to get a stack of books signed, or at least plates, to mail out to people or sell on Ebay. It's a little rude to profit-take on Ebay with a brand-new book in my opinion. If sellers agree to stock them he's usually happy to sign plates so booksellers can have signed copies on hand even if he can't get there. Bookstores sometimes mark those up a little, but shouldn't. Perhaps the publisher can arrange for 100 signed copies on Amazon, for example, perhaps at a slight premium for the hassle of setting that up. If that doesn't work out, Ebay it is I guess.
The "celebrity sells" element is in everything, from movies to music to books, as Mark says. But it's far from a guarantee and you still have to put out a decent book. (Being selected by Oprah is the only sure thing in the book industry.) There are many celebrity books that don't sell at all and of course most bestselling books aren't written by otherwise famous or influential people. Kasparov has good name recognition in Europe but the book hasn't done particularly well there to my knowledge.
Mig or someone else, any news on when Kasparov will return to his modern chess series? I can't wait to read his books on the K-K matches and his own best games. I adore his annotation style. Thorough but readable.
He's working on the K-K books now and has been all year, especially on vacation ("vacation") in Croatia this summer. I'll see if the publication date is set. It was a completist's decision. The first MCS books will be ALL of the Kasparov-Karpov games, not just the WCh matches.
I live in New Orleans and would love to attend GK's lecture even though I'm not a businessman. :)
OK, I was a small business owner; classify me as an entrepeneur.
Please post any details you have on his visit to New Orleans and I'll be there! Thanks!
All the K-K games! Great!
Even the two blitz games from the 1987 Swift tournament. According to the tournament book, Karpov resigned in a winning position with black in the first game. I'm assuming he lost on time.
Looking forward to seeing Mr. K. on 60 Min. tonight. I'm wondering if he would be interested in speaking at UCONN in Storrs, CT, if he's going to be in the area next month. Please let me know what the financial arrangemnts need to be made. thannks !
I read the Kasparov profile in the New Yorker (which, in my opinion, has a 2700 rating among magazines).
It's telling that the article was as much about Putin as Kasparov. But I guess that's the nature of the struggle Garry has taken on.
What I really loved was the description of Kasparov, after inhumanly long hours of political meetings, seeking solace and relaxation in a little online blitz. Not unlike the rest of us poor schmoes logging on to ICC or PlayChess after a hard day at work.